Strainer



July 10, 1956 R. s. FENNER 2,754,003

STRAINER Filed June 21, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR. f/I y/vo/vp J fi/v/m Juiy 1Q, 1956 s. FENNER STRAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 21. 1954 INVENTOR. $4 Y wo/vp 6. Aim N56 United States Patent STRAINER Raymond S. Fenner, Perth Amboy, N. J. Application June 21, 1954, Serial No. 438,076 2 Claims. (Cl. 210170) This invention relates to-new and useful improvements in strainers and has particular reference to strainers for use with washing machines.

A main object of the invention is to provide a simple, eflicient, and economical device which will permit'water to be discharged from a machine such as a washing machine, which will entrap solid material and permit the water to be run back into the washer for re-use.

A further object is to provide a simple device which is made of a few simple economical parts thus efiiciently performing its function without adding greatly to the cost of the operation of the machine.

Still another object is to provide a device in which the water flow is controlled automatically to entrap the solid material when discharging from the machine and to pass the soapy water back into the machine when suction is applied to draw it back.

Another object is to provide means whereby solid detergents may be easily placed within the strainer to be slowly dissolved into the flowing water as desired.

Further and more specific objects, features, and advantages will more clearly appear from a consideration of the specification hereinafter set forth especially when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a present preferred form which the invention may assume and which form part of the specification.

In brief and general terms the invention includes a perforated strainer shell to which is connected a hose from a machine such as washing machine. The shell is divided into two chambers. To the hose is connected a valve device having two valves. This device has one portion disposed within one chamber and the other portion disposed within the other chamber. The valves are so arranged that when liquid flows from or is discharged from the machine it will flow through one valve into one chamber and out through the shell while any solid matter therein is entrapped in the chamber. While this is going on the other valve is so constructed that no water or liquid will flow through it during discharge from the machine. However, when it is desired to return the liquid to the machine, well known pumping mechanism is made effective to draw the liquid back into the machine and in this instance the first valve will remain closed and the second valve will open so to permit the return flow. Thus one valve may be termed the discharge valve and the other the return-flow valve. In the chamber in which the return-low valve is located a cake of detergent material may be located to add its characteristics to the returning liquid if desired. The strainer shell is provided with end caps which can be easily removed to permit the separate chambers to be cleaned particularly to remove the solid matter which has collected in the first mentioned chamber.

The present preferred form which the invention may assume is illustrated in the drawings, of which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine with an adjacent tub into which the strainer device is disposed;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the strainer;

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Fig. 3 is a left end elevation, partly broken away;

Fig. 4 is a right end elevation, partly broken away;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 6 is a similar cross section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Referring now merely to the specific preferred form of the invention shown in the drawings, it will be noted that the strainer is in the form of an elongate perforated shell 10, preferably cylindrical having resilient bushings 11 over each end to receive cup-shaped perforated cap members 12 which are thus tight fitted thereover.

There is an upper aperture in the shell through which extends a hose 13 from a washing machine 14. A rubber gasket 15 seals the connection between the hose and the shell. To the end of the hose is attached a metal T-shaped union 16 having oppositely extending arms 17 and 18. Over these latter arms are snug-fitted rubber sleeves 19 and 20. Within the sleeve 20 is fitted rubber sleeve 21 and within this is a metal shell liner 22, preferably aluminum. .The end of the sleeve 21 is flanged over at 23 to position the shell liner 22 therewithin. Over this end of the sleeve 21 is disposed a metal cup-shaped cap 24 having an aperture 25 and between the flange 26 on the cap 24 and the flange 23 on the sleeve 21 is pivotally disposed a flap valve 27 preferably of flexible material such as rubber.

Fitted tightly within the strainer shell 10 is a hard rubber partition 28 which has an aperture 28' in its lower portion through which the cap 24 extends as shown in Fig. 2. This partition thus forms the shell 10 into two separate chambers. The valve 27 is constructed to permit liquid to pass therethrough when it is being discharged from the washing machine 14. Thus the liquid with any entrapped solid matter will be discharged into the strainer into the chamber to the right of the partition 28 as seen in Fig. 2. The perforations in the strainer shell are such as will pass liquid but not ordinary solid matter, such as dirt, lint, pins, etc.

The other end of the T-shaped union has a thin metal shell 29 disposed within the end of the sleeve 19 and within it is a rubber sleeve 30 and within this is a thin metal sleeve 31 of metal preferably aluminum. The sleeve 29 is flanged at 32 over the end of the sleeve 30 and the sleeve 30 is flanged at 33 over the end of the sleeve 31 as shown in Fig. 2. Pivoted between the inner ends of the sleeves 29 and 30 is another flap valve 34 which is so disposed and operable as to admit liquid into the T-union when suction is applied to the hose 13 but to close when pressure is applied thereto.

When the soapy liquid within the washing machine 14 is to be discharged therefrom but is to be run back into the washing machine, the strainer, connected to the hose 13 is disposed in the tub 35 and the outlet therefrom is closed so that the liquid run therein will remain.

In the operation of the device, when the washing is completed, the liquid, in the usual manner, is discharged from the machine through the hose 13. It enters the strainer shell and, because of the valve arrangement passes out through the right hand valve into the trap chamber at the right of the shell. The solid matter stays therein but the water passes through the shell perforations into the tub where it remains if desired. If the water is to be returned to the machine, then the pump thereon, which is well known, pumps the water back into the machine. In this case it is sucked back into the strainer through the left hand valve of the T-union and passes through the hose 13 into the machine. Thus it is seen that when the water is flowing in one direction it passes into the trap chamber whereas in the other direction it flows through the other chamber. When one valve is opened the other is closed and vice versa. If the soap 3 block is disposed in the 'lefthand chamber it will slowly be dissolved into the water for the purpose desired.

It is clear that the invention is very simple, economical to manufacture and efiicient'in operation with a very few simple parts which are extremelyeasyto repair or replace when "necessary.

While the invention has been described in detail and with respect to a present preferred form thereoflit is not to'be limited to such details and form since many changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and 'scope'of'the invention in its broadest aspects. Hence it is desired to cover any and all forms and modifications of the invention which may come within the'language or scope of any-one'ormore-of the 'appended claims.

What I claim, is:

1. In a strainer, an elongate perforated shell, a T-shaped conduit forming a valve device, the leg of the conduit extending "through the wall of the shell to the exterior thereof, the arms of the conduit extending in opposite directions, a liquid-tight partition across the sheli dividing it .into two compartments,one of thearmsof the valve conduit extending through the partition into one of the compartments, flap valves disposed on the respective ends of the conduit arms, said valves operating automatically in response to fluid pressure within the conduit to alternately open and close when the flow of liquid changes its direction within the conduit.

2. In a strainer, a perforated elongate shell, divided by a liquid-tight partition into two separate chambers or compartments, a T-shaped conduit the leg of which extends into the shell from the exterior thereof, one arm of the conduit extending into one compartment and having a pivoted valve thereon which opens only when the flow of liquid through theconduit-is into'the conduit "from the exterior of the shell, the other arm of the conduit extending intothe other compartment and having a pivoted valve thereon which opens only when the liquid flow in the conduit is from within the shell through the conduit to the exterior of the shell.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 471,615 King Mar. 29, 1892 1,404,408 Rosling Jan. 24, 1922 2,226,022 Shutts Dec. 24, 1940 2,540,300 Smith Feb. 6, 1951 2,692,051 Webb Oct. 18, 1954 

